Arsenal FC 2009/2010

[ForzaChievo]

Brilliant football on display, Nasri is expected back for the Hull game.

[Tony Adams]

good display but lets not get ahead of ourselves we r yet to face a contention team

[delfino_1936]

'A convincing, united and classy performance'

On the performance...
"It was a convincing, united and classy performance. We were strong everywhere a team can be strong that means physically and technically. Even in the second half when we needed to defend we showed the resilient aspects of our game. That makes me think we are maturing very quickly. I believe that the attitude of this team is right."

On resting players...
"You cannot play 60 games with 11 players. You have to anticipate before some of the players are overused. Especially up front when every second, every tenth of a second, is important. You have to provoke up front. Today I rested Walcott and Robin van Persie. This win proves we have good players coming through underneath. We have Nasri, Silvestre, Rosicky and Eduardo too. So there is a lot of quality at home."

On Kevin Davies tackle on Gael Clichy...
"You will smile but I did not really see the impact of the challenge. Gael was in front of me but I watched the ball as it went back to William Gallas. There was 30 seconds to go I said to Gael let’s keep the ball. I need to see it on the video again. It was a shin injury. That proves that the tackle was quite high. Was it an accident? Only Davies can answer that."

On combating the physical game...
"We accept the physical challenge and I think we responded to it well. For me kicking someone is not physical. It is out of the rules. I have to see what he did again on video again but we have no problem with the physical challenge. It is part of the charm of the game."

On the FA taking action on mistimed challenges...
"The speed of the game is so high that referees can miss the real intention of the players. There should be resource for the FA to act on mistimed tackles. But I am cautious on this one because I did not see. It can happen accidentally as well."

On Denilson...
"He was very good. The whole midfield functioned very well. There was strength and security coming out of the whole team. That is what I liked, we were not panicking when we were 1-0 down but responding in a strong way. For such a young team we have a very strong desire not to accept defeat."

On Alex Ferguson saying he'd like Arsenal to win the title...
"We take it with a lot of respect. But we are not naive. It will be interesting this year like it was last year. I will watch the Chelsea v Man United game with a lot of curiosity. Chelsea had a good start, Man United had a difficult start like last year. But you know they will wake up and most of the time they’ll wake up in a big game. This is a big game."

[Tony Adams]

Arsenal Preparing An Offer For Lazio Starlet Mendicino•September 21, 2008 • 35 Comments


Arsenal are preparing a bid for S.S Lazio striker Ettore Mendicino after the 18-year-old attacker impressed the Gunners Italian based scout Tony Banfield with his performances for the Rome Club’s B team.

Sources close to the players representatives leaked news of the interest to a Lazio fan site last week, with the website suggesting it’s only a matter of time before Mendicino seals a switch to London. Several positive reports have already been gathered by a handful of scouts working with Banfield, and now a firm contract offer is expected to be put to the player before the end of the year.

The proposed deal would be extremely lucrative to both Ettore and his family, but it would also offer the chance for the youngster to link up with fellow countryman Vito Mannone at Arsenal.

Mendicino is recognised as one of a promising generation of talents at Lazio, and would have to be prepared to give up any further representation for the national team at youth level to seal a switch to the Gunners. Known for having a excellent turn of pace combined with an unselfish nature, he bagged 9 goals in 32 fixtures for the Reserves last year, leading to calls up for the Italian Under 16 team.

He featured in 6 games, scoring once in a draw against Ukraine - with officials already believed to have been on his trial. Mendicino featured a lot for the first team over pre-season, and notched a double in an 8-0 romp over Nuova Tor Tre Teste. Further appearances came against Liverpool and PAOK.

Several young talents have left the World Cup winning country to head to England in the last few years, with Arturo Lupoli and the aforementioned Mannone coming to London, and Giuseppe Rossi among 2-3 players who have gone to Manchester United.

il duce, this kid any good?

[Piola]

Mendicino????

F*ck off you c*nts!!!! I read this on lazialita last week and just hoped it was bullshit.

This kid is quality. Not many 18 year olds make first teams in Italy, and this kid is already part of the Lazio first team. Scored against Pool in preseason but goal was wrongfully disallowed.

I'll be very disappointed if we lose him. Local boy produced by the club of such quality is a very precious thing. Class aint water and the lad has lots of it.

[Piola]

please tell me that came from goal.com or tribal football...

[ForzaChievo]

please tell me that came from goal.com or tribal football...

http://youngguns.wordpress.com/2008/09/ ... mendicino/

[Piola]

please tell me that came from goal.com or tribal football...

http://youngguns.wordpress.com/2008/09/ ... mendicino/

How much truth you reckon there is to it?

This kid is contracted anyway. Not like a 15 year old that gets signed for free.

[ForzaChievo]

How much truth you reckon there is to it?

This kid is contracted anyway. Not like a 15 year old that gets signed for free.

Wenger won't spend the money, and Lazio will drop a massive price on his head.

[Piola]

How much truth you reckon there is to it?

This kid is contracted anyway. Not like a 15 year old that gets signed for free.

Wenger won't spend the money, and Lazio will drop a massive price on his head.

Hope so, but who the fuck are Lazio to put a massive price on his head.

btw on that article, Lazio have no B or reserves team. He plays for the Primavera (youth).

[ForzaChievo]

Hope so, but who the shiraz are Lazio to put a massive price on his head.

btw on that article, Lazio have no B or reserves team. He plays for the Primavera (youth).

As if they care about Italian football

[Piola]

Hope so, but who the shiraz are Lazio to put a massive price on his head.

btw on that article, Lazio have no B or reserves team. He plays for the Primavera (youth).

As if they care about Italian football

If the deal goes through I'll ring the emirates with a bomb threat

read this anyway..http://www.lazialita.com/VisualizzaSezi ... ticolo=908

He trains with the first team, part of the first team. Only plays for primavera on weekends. To sacrifice his big chance would be extremely stupid

[ForzaChievo]

For all gooners, join up.

http://z11.invisionfree.com/NorthBankDo ... /index.php?

[Tony Adams]

Wenger Holds Back Gunners Stars From Cup Tie

Arsene Wenger believes the Barclays Premier League title race is shaping up into an "interesting" contest - and he will not risk Arsenal's chances by gambling with his senior players in the Carling Cup.
The Gunners currently sit top of the table following a weekend which saw them come from behind to win 3-1 at Bolton, while rivals Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United all dropped points.
However, following a hectic travel schedule, which included a Champions League trip to Kiev, Wenger will give nearly all of his first team a well-deserved rest tomorrow night when Coca-Cola Championship side Sheffield United are the visitors to Emirates Stadium.
The Arsenal manager firmly believes his squad have what it takes to stay the course and mount a sustained assault on the title.
"The results went for us over the weekend, but we produced a good performance. That is why we are very happy," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.
"We look solid at the moment because we don't concede goals and when we concede them we respond.
"It means the team has transformed the disappointment of not winning the League last season to a bigger hunger."
Wenger, though, added: "It looks now that all the four teams have found their rhythm.
"The only question mark until now was Manchester United, but they gave a strong response at Chelsea and from now on it will be a very interesting battle."
Wenger's youngsters reached the Carling Cup semi-finals last season, before they lost over two legs to arch-rivals Tottenham, who went on to win the competition at Wembley.
The Gunners boss confirmed he would adopt the same approach once more - which means the likes of Wales Under-21 midfielder Aaron Ramsey, 16-year-old Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, reserve-team captain Gavin Hoyte and even first-year scholar Emmanuel Frimpong will get their chance.
"We have to keep our policy because we lost players in this competition that harmed our chances in the Champions League and the Premier League," said Wenger.
"No matter how far we go, we will keep our policy. Even in a stricter way than before."
The Arsenal manager is looking forward to seeing Arsenal's next generation in action against the Blades.
"It is a good opportunity always for us to develop what we feel is an important asset in our policy and give some chance to young players," he said.
"It's a very interesting period as well to discover our young players for our fans.
"We have great experiences in this Carling Cup and there is always a great excitement for the young players to play."
Wenger expects the Blades to provide a stern test for the young Gunners.
He said: "When you play a Championship team you know you get high pace and commitment.
"With Sheffield United it always is a very difficult game because we have had a few battles with them over the last 10 years.
"They are always a good footballing team with top level commitment."
Full-back Gael Clichy, meanwhile, could be fit for the weekend Premier League game with Hull after suffering a badly bruised shin following a strong challenge from Bolton's Kevin Davies at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.
Wenger felt the incident deserved a red card, but insisted he is all in favour of a physical approach - provided it is within the rules.
"I agree football is a physical sport and a player who is not committed has nothing to do with this kind of level - one of the strengths of the English game is that kind of commitment and the way the referee keeps the flow going," the Arsenal boss said.
"What makes you more nervous is to cut the game off every two seconds because of a slight contact."
Wenger added: "Even in Manchester United versus Chelsea on Sunday, I felt the referee was a bit too protective sometimes.
"But that flow is fantastic for the game and some isolated incidents are down to detecting the intention of the player.
"I am always lenient if it is just to play the ball."

[Tony Adams]

UEFA’s Platini Slams ‘Selfish Business Man’ Wenger
UEFA president Michel Platini launched an astonishing attack on fellow countryman Arsène Wenger yesterday afternoon, with the 53-year-old slamming the Gunners prized youth system.
The interview, which is due to be published in Le Dauphiné on Thursday, comes out in a week which sees the epitome of Wenger’s philosophy, youth development, take centre stage in the Carling Cup. But whilst most Gooners are excited about seeing some of the stars of tomorrow, Platini described the nurturing and, on occasions, the sale of young players as treating the game like a business.
“Me, I only want to talk about football, he (Wenger) only cares about business. We must shut up with Wenger and everything. He is an extremely selfish person.”
Not content with just questioning Arsène’s love for the game, he continued by mocking the Arsenal managers views on goal line technology. Wenger has often called for it to be introduced to aid referees, but Michel was less than impressed with the idea.
“I would not mind if the technology is introduced, just as long as Arsène Wenger is not alive to see it. (Smiles)”
With the reporter keen to switch attention away from the onslaught on Wenger, Platini was quizzed on the recent round of Champions League fixtures, which saw new boys Cluj-Napoca beat Roma.
However, he once more used this as a chance to insult his fellow countryman, who has achieved fantastic success as a manager, something Platini had failed at.
“The fact that Cluj beat Roma is very interesting don’t you think?, this is the beauty of football, where the small beats the big, something Wenger does not like.”
The news will no doubt be ‘water of a ducks back’ for the Frenchman, who will be hoping the latest crop of youngsters can prove Platini wrong and achieve big things in the coming season, starting with the Carling Cup.

[Tony Adams]

The Carling Cup - Which Youngsters Will Feature

Due to popular demand, Young Guns will be covering Arsenal’s exploits in the League or Carling Cup this season. Read on to see what you can expect in the coming months.
In the coming weeks you can expect in depth coverage of the usually brilliant competition, including team news, Match Previews, Match Reports, and after game analysis. In this first article we will give a general insight to the Cup and it’s significance to Arsenal, as well as studying which youngsters could feature.
The Carling Cup is simply Arsène Wenger’s opportunity to give promising youngsters the chance to play in a first team environment, finding out if they can cut it with the big boys. It’s relaxed yet competitive nature means Wenger can play some of the young players who have previously impressed in the Cup, but are not currently in the first team.
It’s important to highlight before we start that the tournament is NOT an extension of the Reserves team, it’s primarily about second string first team players, and then Reserves to fill the gaps.
However, last year saw large numbers of Under 19 players competing, with several making it big time. Last year saw the Gunners reach the semi-finals, and despite that terrible defeat to Tottenham, it was the youngsters in the previous rounds who helped ease some of the pain.
Kieran Gibbs, Henri Lansbury, Fran Merida, Mark Randall, Vito Mannone, Gavin Hoyte, Nacer Barazite and Havard Nordtveit were all in the various squads last year, 5 of them made appearances, and the latter, Nordtveit, was penciled in to start against Newcastle until injury ruled him out at the last moment.
Wenger already knows what many of his charges can do, indeed, many of them featured over pre-season, with the Reserves playing at Barnet, and the Under 18’s at Huddersfield. Expect many of last years crop to now be pushing for starting places, including Randall and Merida. Vito Mannone is also expected to play between the sticks - as the third choice ‘Cup keeper’ idea continues.
But also the likes of Francis Coquelin, Kyle Bartley, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Jay Simpson and Rui Fonte will all be hoping for first team chances.
Sheffield United offer the first test tomorrow evening at the Emirates Stadium, they have proved some what of difficult opponents in the past, but after being on the end of a thrashing last year, a win is firmly expected.
Early team news is as follows, Francis Coquelin has been ill all week is doubtful to feature, but Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Aaron Ramsey will take heart from already being involved in the first team, they all should start. Carlos Vela and the in form Nicklas Bendtner should lead the line, with decisions still to be made on the flanks.
The boss could go with Simpson and Wilshere, or Simspon and Merida, or Wilshere and Merida, whoever plays should expected competition from Amaury Bischoff when he returns next month.

Predicted XI

Mannone
Djourou - G.Hoyte - Song - Gibbs
Simpson - Ramsey - Randall - Wilshere
Bendtner - Vela

Feel free to give your views on the Carling Cup and the team in the comment section, a more in depth Preview will be available tomorrow afternoon

[Tony Adams]

Johan Djourou signs new long-term contract
Arsenal can today confirm that Swiss defender Johan Djourou has signed a new long-term contract with the Club.

Djourou (21) joined the Gunners in summer 2003 from Swiss side Etoile Carouge and went on to make his first team debut the following season. Since then, Johan has made 51 first team appearances, including a total of 30 in the 2006/07 season.

Johan spent the first half of the 2007/08 season on loan in the Premier League with Birmingham City. After returning to Arsenal in December, Johan’s season was interrupted by injury, but he did return to action to make two appearances towards the end of the season.

Born in the Ivory Coast but raised in Geneva, Johan has established himself as an important member of Switzerland’s national squad, being one of the youngest players to participate in the 2006 World Cup and also being a member the Switzerland’s Euro 2008 squad.

Everyone at Arsenal wishes Johan continued success with his career at the Club.

[Tony Adams]

Wenger to name Arsenal's youngest ever side
By Richard Clarke

Arsène Wenger may name the youngest first-team side in Arsenal’s history for the Carling Cup tie against Sheffield United on Tuesday.

It is now normal for the Frenchman to send out youngsters in this competition however, against the Blades, Alex Song (21), Nicklas Bendtner (20), Johan Djourou (21) and Lukasz Fabianski (23) are likely to be the ‘old heads’.

Wenger intends the field to include a raft of 17, 18 and 19-year-olds. Rising star Jack Wilshere, age 16 years 266 days, is likely to start his first competitive game for the Club. But he may not be the youngest Arsenal player on show. Speaking to Arsenal TV Online on Monday, Wenger suggested he may include first-year scholar Emmanuel Frimpong. He is a full nine days younger than Wilshere.

“There is a possibility [it will be the youngest side ever],” said Wenger. “In the first team there are many players around 20. In the Carling Cup we will keep a few in there but the side will be more between 16 and 19. At Arsenal you can say 20 and 21-year-olds are the experienced players.

“You are likely to see Gavin Hoyte, Abu Ogogu, Aaron Ramsey, Mark Randall, Jack Wilshere, Fran Merida and Carlos Vela. Maybe Bendtner will play. Song, Djourou and Lukasz Fabianski will be the experienced players. But you will have players like Emmanuel Frimpong and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas so it will be a very young side.”

[delfino_1936]

quality youngsters, just hope they win so their development for the year doesn't end early

[Le King]

gd on wenger for stickin with the use policy and not spending big.... but now they are referred 2 as a selling club so once players reach there early or mid 20's they will b sold!!
also like sum commentator sed, wats arsenal won in the last 3 yrs with there so called great young side????

[King Ledley]

Hope so, but who the shiraz are Lazio to put a massive price on his head.

btw on that article, Lazio have no B or reserves team. He plays for the Primavera (youth).

As if they care about Italian football

If the deal goes through I'll ring the emirates with a bomb threat

read this anyway..http://www.lazialita.com/VisualizzaSezi ... ticolo=908

He trains with the first team, part of the first team. Only plays for primavera on weekends. To sacrifice his big chance would be extremely stupid

LOL

[# 9]

fuckn well in gunners. a great 6nil thrashing!!!

[Tony Adams]

gd on wenger for stickin with the use policy and not spending big.... but now they are referred 2 as a selling club so once players reach there early or mid 20's they will b sold!!
also like sum commentator sed, wats arsenal won in the last 3 yrs with there so called great young side????

that quote about arsene saying we r a selling club was misquoted suprisingly by the media.

[Le King]

gd on wenger for stickin with the use policy and not spending big.... but now they are referred 2 as a selling club so once players reach there early or mid 20's they will b sold!!
also like sum commentator sed, wats arsenal won in the last 3 yrs with there so called great young side????

that quote about arsene saying we r a selling club was misquoted suprisingly by the media.

take it bak then

[delfino_1936]

gd on wenger for stickin with the use policy and not spending big.... but now they are referred 2 as a selling club so once players reach there early or mid 20's they will b sold!!
also like sum commentator sed, wats arsenal won in the last 3 yrs with there so called great young side????

that quote about arsene saying we r a selling club was misquoted suprisingly by the media.

take it bak then

as you should, we aint no selling club

[Tony Adams]

the whole we are a selling club rumour really shits me off. i've read the actual press release that the supposed comment came from and whilst i cant find it on the web it was twisted to say they we r a selling club. ridiculous really. if we were truly a selling club we would of sold adebayor. arsenal have one of the least amounts of debt in the league at the moment despite the new stadium.

[ForzaChievo]

[Tony Adams]

Arsenal’s Cagigao After Barça Kid Deulofeu

Arsenal’s already delicate relationship with FC Barcelona is set to be stretched to the max in the coming weeks as the Gunners are closing in on the signature of 14-year-old wing wizard Gerard Deulofeu.

Chelsea and Liverpool have also been following the youngster after he starred for the Spanish Youth team in a tournament which was held in Holland, this prompted big media attention for the prospect, which has lured some of England’s biggest Clubs.

Four of Spain’s big football agency’s have made approaches to represent the player, although as yet they have all been rebuffed. However, he does have a professional agent who is employed by the Deulofeu family, and reports coming from Spain claim Arsenal’s Spanish scout Francis Cagigao has already been in touch.

Cagigao is one of Arsène Wenger’s most prized assets, and has successfully recruited the likes of Cesc Fàbregas, Fran Mérida and more recently Ignasi Miquel Pons. His influence will be crucial in any possible deal, leaving Barça yet again livid with the Gunners methods of signing youngsters.

Gerard is a pacy, technical and elegant left winger who can also play on the right, yet he is not a traditional attacking midfielder. In a similar way to Robert Pires, Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky and Marc Overmars, he is a right footed player operating on the left, meaning he can cut inside with deadly effect.

Blessed with slick control, skills in abundance, electric pace and a fantastic finish, Deulofeu really does have it all. Arsenal’s record for developing Spanish talents is second to none, indeed, Fàbregas is a first team regular, Mérida started in the Carling Cup last night, and Miquel already has a winners medal with the Under 16’s.

He can take heart from all of that, and should everything fall into place, Gerard could lead a crop of Young Guns in the future. You can watch two videos of the player in action below.

[Tony Adams]

Wenger Hails The ‘Best Crop’ Of Arsenal Kids Ever


Arsène Wenger last night paid tribute to his young starlets after they romped past Championship side Sheffield United and into the 4th round of the Carling Cup, scoring 6 goals along the way.

Football pundits world wide were hailing the Gunners who had an average age of just 19, but Wenger went one better b by telling Sky Sports that the current crop of young players is the best he has ever had.

“Yes This is the best crop Yes. Because there is not one player - Henri Lansbury didn’t start the game because he’s been injured - but there’s not one player who has not the real quality of the Premier League in any position.”

He went further by heaping praise on the Club’s coaching staff and of course everybody at the Academy, who can now finally say the youth system works at Arsenal. The only issue that now remains is for the boss to keep the boys together and push them into the first team on a more regular basis, but with quality and talent in abundance, Arsène is one of the luckiest managers in the world to have such players at his disposal.

Being able to make the step up is something people had questions over, the likes of Gavin Hoyte, Mark Randall, and Nicklas Bendtner had all been subject of criticism over the last season, but when it mattered, they all delivered with devastating consequences.

Not to mention the fact this group still has the likes of Nacer Barazite, Pedro Botelho and Håvard Nordtveit to add, they will be considered as just a few months away from being ready enough to join this tremendous crop.

Not only was last night a victory for the Club, the manager, the players, the Academy, but also loaning. 6 of the starting XI have spent time away from the Emirates getting vital experience, which some people had again questioned, yet yesterday they showed how crucial it had been in their development.

The next few years promise to be the most fruitful in Arsenal’s history, and yes we will be kidding ourselves to suggest every single player will make the grade here, but for the ones who do, bigger and better things from them only seem a matter of time.

[Tony Adams]

Wenger - Defensive record has gone unnoticed


Arsenal have yet to concede a goal from open play this season.

In nine games, or 810 minutes of competitive action they have only let in two strikes turned in directly from corners (at Fulham and Bolton) plus the penalty at Kyiv.

As yet, Arsenal’s defence has yet to be breached via a move.

“We have defended very well,” Arsène Wenger told Arsenal.com. “It has not been noticed yet but we’ve only conceded those two goals from two corners. In open play we are quite solid. That, for me, is a good response and a good explanation for the team attitude in the squad.”

Last season, Arsenal conceded 31 goals – the highest number of the top four and nine more than champions Manchester United. It was cited by Wenger as a big contributing factor to his side’s failure to hang on to their Premier League lead in the latter stages. But, Wenger being Wenger, his attacking principles will be not compromised to keep his new-found record going.

“What makes me happy at the moment is that we have a good combination of defensive balance and offensive efficiency,” said the Frenchman. “Sometimes when you work on defending better you lose a number of goals.

“But at the moment we are combining the two and it means when everyone puts the effort in we still can be very dangerous going forward.”